Dermacentor variabilis GABA-gated chloride channels

ABSTRACT

The present invention features  Dermacentor variabilis  GABA-gated chloride channel polypeptides and nucleic acids, and uses of such polypeptides and nucleic acids.  D. variabilis  is a widely distributed tick associated with different diseases. A preferred use of the present invention is to obtain compounds for preventing or treating a tick infestation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/193,791, filed Mar. 31, 2000, hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The references cited herein are not admitted to be prior art to the claimed invention.

γ-Aminobutric acid (GABA) is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter present in insects and vertebrates. Vertebrate central nervous system GABA receptors have been divided into subtype GABA_(A) and subtype GABA_(B). GABA_(A) receptors give rise to GABA gated Cl⁻ currents and contain modulatory sites for benzodiazepines, barbiturates and steroids. GABA_(B) receptors mediate effects of GABA on K⁺ and Ca²⁺ conductances through interactions with G proteins. (Rauh et al., TiPS 11:325-329, 1990.)

Nucleic acid encoding for GABA receptors have been cloned from different sources including vertebrates and insects. Examples of some vertebrate GABA receptors are discussed by Olsen et al., FASEB J. 4:1469-1480, 1990. Examples of insect GABA receptor are provided in Soderlund et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,976, Tomalski et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,854,002, Wingate et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,767,262 and Roush et al., International Publication Number WO 93/07161.

An example of a GABA receptor obtained from an insect is the dieldrin resistant GABA receptor (Rdl). Nucleic acid encoding for Rdl has been cloned from Drosophila. (Ffrench-Constant et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:7209-7213, 1991, and Roush et al., International Publication Number WO 93/07161.) Insects containing an A302S mutation in the rdl gene are resistant to different GABA antagonists including cyclodienes, picrotoxinin and fibronil. (Ffrench-Constant et al., Nature 363:449-451, 1993; Buckingham et al., Neuroscience Letters 181:137-140, 1994; and Hosie et al., British Journal of Pharmacology 115:909-912, 1995.)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention features Dermacentor variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel polypeptides and nucleic acids, and uses of such polypeptides and nucleic acids. D. variabilis is a widely distributed tick associated with different diseases. A preferred use of the present invention is to obtain compounds for preventing or treating a tick infestation.

D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel polypeptides contain a region of at least 9 contiguous amino acids that is present in SEQ. ID. NOs. 1, 2 or 3. SEQ. ID. NOs. 1, 2 and 3 are derived from the same gene. Differences between these sequences are due to mRNA editing and strain variations.

D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel nucleic acids contain a region encoding for a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel polypeptide or containing at least 18 contiguous nucleotides that is present in SEQ. ID. NOs. 4, 5, 6 or the complement thereof. The effect of mRNA editing and strain variations also accounts for the differences in the encoding nucleic acids of SEQ. ID. NOs. 4, 5 and 6.

Thus, a first aspect of the present invention describes a purified polypeptide comprising a unique amino acid region of a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel. The unique region is at least 9 amino acids in length.

A “unique amino acid region” is a region of contiguous amino acids present in SEQ. ID. NOs. 1, 2 or 3 that is not present in SEQ. ID. NO. 7. SEQ. ID. NO. 7 is a D. melaizogaster Rdl sequence. Reference to the unique region being present in SEQ. ID. NOs. 1, 2 or 3 includes unique regions that are present in any combination of SEQ. ID. NOs. 1, 2 and 3. The unique region may contain segments of contiguous amino acids present in SEQ. ID. NO. 7 smaller than the indicated unique region size.

A “purified polypeptide” represents at least about 10% of the total protein present in a sample or preparation. In preferred embodiments, the purified polypeptide represents at least about 50%, at least about 75%, or at least about 95% of the total protein in a sample or preparation. Reference to “purified polypeptide” does not require that the polypeptide has undergone any purification and may include, for example, chemically synthesized polypeptide that has not been purified.

Another aspect of the present invention describes a purified nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding for a unique amino acid region of a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel. The encoded for region is at least 9 amino acids in length.

A “purified nucleic acid” represents at least about 10% of the total nucleic acid present in a sample or preparation and includes both single-stranded and double-stranded nucleic acid. In preferred embodiments, the purified nucleic acid represents at least about 50%, at least about 75%, or at least about 95% of the total nucleic acid in a sample or preparation. Reference to “purified nucleic acid” does not require that the nucleic acid has undergone any purification and may include, for example, chemically synthesized nucleic acid that has not been purified.

Another aspect of the present invention describes a purified nucleic acid comprising a unique nucleotide sequence region of a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel nucleic acid or the complement thereof. The unique nucleotide sequence region is at least 18 nucleotides in length.

A “unique nucleotide sequence region” is a region that comprises at least 18 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ. ID. NOs. 4, 5, 6 or the complement thereof, that is not present in SEQ. ID. NO. 8 or the complement thereof. SEQ. ID. NO. 8 is the nucleotide sequence encoding for a D. melanogaster Rdl sequence. Reference to the unique region being present in SEQ. ID. NOs. 4, 5, 6 or the complement thereof, includes unique regions that are present in any combination of SEQ. ID. NOs. 4, 5 and 6 or the complement thereof. The unique region may contain segments of contiguous nucleotides present in SEQ. ID. NO. 8 smaller than the indicated unique region size.

Another aspect of the present invention describes an expression vector. The expression vector comprises a recombinant nucleotide sequence encoding for a unique amino acid region of a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel.

A “recombinant nucleotide sequence” is a sequence that is present on a nucleic acid containing one or more nucleic acid regions not naturally associated with that sequence. Examples of nucleic acid regions that may be present include one or more regulatory elements not naturally associated with the sequence, viral elements, and selectable markers.

Another aspect of the present invention describes a recombinant cell comprising an expression vector encoding for a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel. The expression vector contains a promoter functionally coupled to nucleic acid encoding for a unique region of a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel and is recognized by an RNA polymerase present in the cell.

Another aspect of the present invention describes a recombinant cell made by introducing an expression vector encoding for a unique amino acid region of a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel into a cell. The GABA-gated chloride channel nucleic acid present in the expression vector can be inserted into the host genome or can exist apart from the host genome.

Another aspect of the present invention features a purified antibody preparation comprising an antibody that binds to a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel. A “purified antibody preparation” is a preparation where at least about 10% of the antibodies present bind to a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel. In preferred embodiments, antibodies binding to a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel represent at least about 50%, at least about 75%, or at least about 95% of the total antibodies present. Reference to “purified antibody preparation” does not require that the antibodies in the preparation have undergone any purification.

Another aspect of the present invention describes a method of producing a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel polypeptide. The method involves the step of incubating a cell containing a recombinant nucleotide sequence encoding for a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel polypeptide under conditions where the polypeptide is expressed.

Another aspect of the present invention describes a method for assaying the binding of a compound to a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel. The assay involves the following: (a) expressing a polypeptide comprising a unique D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel amino acid sequence region from a recombinant nucleotide sequence; (b) providing to the polypeptide a test preparation comprising one or more test compounds; and (c) measuring the ability of the test preparation to bind to the polypeptide.

Another aspect of the present invention describes a method of measuring GABA-gated chloride channel activity. The method measures the effect of a compound on GABA-gated chloride channel activity in a recombinant cell that expresses a functional GABA-gated chloride channel from a recombinant nucleotide sequence.

Another aspect of the present invention describes a method of decreasing or preventing a tick infestation. The method involves the following: (a) identifying a compound that modulates D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel activity; and (b) using the compound to decrease or prevent a tick infestation.

Other features and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the additional descriptions provided herein including the different examples. The provided examples illustrate different components and methodology useful in practicing the present invention. The examples do not limit the claimed invention. Based on the present disclosure the skilled artisan can identify and employ other components and methodology useful for practicing the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a comparison of D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel polypeptides of SEQ. ID. NOs. 1 (clone 8), 2 (clone 9), and 3 (clone 5), along with D. melanogaster Rdl (SEQ. ID. NO. 7).

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate a comparison of nucleic acid encoding a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel (SEQ. ID. NO. 5) with nucleic acid encoding for D. melanogaster rdl (SEQ. ID. NO. 8).

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a sequence comparison of SEQ. ID. NOs. 4, 5 and 6.

FIG. 4 illustrates D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel activity. Activity was measured using the D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel of SEQ. ID. NO. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates the sensitivity of the D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel to fibronil. Activity was measured using the D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel of SEQ. ID. NO. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present application identifies D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channels amino acid and nucleic acid sequences. Such identification provides targets that can be used, for example, to identify D. variabilis and to obtain compounds useful for treating or preventing a D. variabilis infestation.

Throughout its life cycle D. variabilis feeds on the blood of different hosts and can act as a disease carrier. As a result of its blood feeding activities D. variabilis has been linked to a variety of different diseases including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, tick paralysis, anaplasmosis, tularemia, and cytauxzoonosis. Hosts for D. variabilis include humans, dogs, cattle, horses, deer, and other wild and domesticated animals. (See, for example, Cupp, Biology of Ticks. In Hoskins (ed.): Tick-Transmitted Diseases W.B. Saunders Company, 1991, p. 1-26.)

Identifying D. variabilis can be achieved using nucleic acid sequences and antibodies distinguishing D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel nucleic acids or polypeptides from the nucleic acid or polypeptide of other organisms. Determining the presence of D. variabilis can be used to track the spread of the parasite.

Compounds useful for treating or preventing a D. variabilis infestation exert a toxic effect on the parasite without exerting an unacceptable toxic effect on the environment, or on humans and other mammals. The D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channels provides an attractive target for obtaining compounds achieving such effects. Advantages of using D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channels to screen for useful compounds include the differences between GABA-gated chloride channels found in ticks and in mammals, and the identification of a site that can be targeted to achieve a toxic effect in D. variabilis.

D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel active compounds modulate the activity of the channel by, for example, acting as agonists, antagonists, or allosteric modulators. Compounds identified as modulating D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel activity can be further tested to determine their ability to exert a toxic effect on D. variabilis. Such compounds can be readily counter screened against human or mammalian GABA-gated chloride channels to identify those compounds more likely to have an undesirably effect on a human or other mammals.

Compounds active at D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channels may also exert toxic effects on other ticks or related parasites such as mites, and may be useful for preventing the spread of disease associated with such parasites. Additionally, using the present invention as guide, GABA receptors related to the D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channels can be obtained from other organisms. The GABA-gated chloride channels from related organisms can be used in conjunction with the D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel to facilitate the screening of more broadly active compounds.

D. Variabilis GABA-Gated Chloride Channel Polypeptides

D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel polypeptides contain a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel amino acid region. Such polypeptides may contain additional regions present, or not present, in SEQ. ID. NOs. 1, 2, or 3.

Unique D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel amino acid regions can readily be identified based on a comparison of the D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel sequences described herein with the D. melanogaster Rdl sequence. FIG. 1 provides a sequence comparison of SEQ. ID. NO. 1, 2, 3 and 7.

In different embodiments a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel polypeptide comprises or consists of a unique amino acid region. Examples of unique regions include the following:

QILNAFFTRG; (SEQ. ID. NO. 9) MTVGAEVAERIWVP; (SEQ. ID. NO. 10) RWSDGDTSVRIAK; (SEQ. ID. NO. 11) TALLEYAAVGYLG; (SEQ. ID. NO. 12) RCAAASSNEPSSEPLLASPEVSIVKT; (SEQ. ID. NO. 13) QPREAPPTGFT; (SEQ. ID. NO. 14) MGRRGADQCCPGLQGSCQVC; (SEQ. ID. NO. 15) MEVRLKMVDPKGFSKSS; (SEQ. ID. NO. 16) HISDVLPDDVGDD; and (SEQ. ID. NO. 17) HVSDVLPDDVGDD. (SEQ. ID. NO. 18)

The definition of unique amino acid region is with respect to the D. melanogaster Rdl sequence. Thus, for example, a unique amino acid region may be present in one or more D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channels and in polypeptides from one or more organisms other than D. melanogaster. Examples of other organisms where a unique D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel amino acid region may be present include related organisms such as other ticks and/or other arachnids.

D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel polypeptides have a variety of uses, such as providing a component for a functional channel; being used as an antigen to produce antibodies binding to a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel; being used as a target to identify compounds binding to a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel; and/or being used in assays to measure the ability of a compound to effect D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel activity.

Chimeric polypeptides containing one or more regions from a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel and one or more regions not from a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel can be produced based on the disclosure provided herein. Region(s) not from a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel can be used, for example, to achieve a particular purpose or to produce a polypeptide that can substitute for a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel or a fragment thereof. Particular purposes that can be achieved by additional regions present in chimeric D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel polypeptides include providing a marker for isolation, facilitating functional analysis of different channel regions, and enhancing an immune response.

In different embodiments a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel polypeptide comprises or consists of a unique amino acid region at least 18, at least 27, or at least 54, amino acids in length. Preferably, the D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel related polypeptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ. ID. NOs. 1, 2 or 3.

D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel polypeptides also include a functional GABA-gated chloride channel having a sequence similarity to SEQ. ID. NO. 1 of at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or at least about 95%. Sequence similarity for polypeptides can be determined by using procedures such as the Smith and Waterman Bestfit Algorithm with gap weight, 8; length weight 2; and by BLAST (Altschul, et al., 1997. Nucleic Acids Res. 25, 3389-3402, hereby incorporated by reference herein). In one embodiment sequence similarity is determined using tBLASTn search program with the following parameters: MATRIX:BLOSUM62, PER RESIDUE GAP COST: 11, and Lambda ratio: 1.

Polypeptides can be produced using standard techniques including those involving chemical synthesis and those involving biochemical synthesis. Techniques for chemical synthesis of polypeptides are well known in the art. (See, for example, Vincent, in Peptide and Protein Drug Delivery, New York, N.Y., Dekker, 1990.)

Biochemical synthesis techniques for polypeptides are also well known in the art. Such techniques employ a nucleic acid template for polypeptide synthesis. The genetic code providing the sequences of nucleic acid triplets coding for particular amino acids is well known in the art. (See, e.g., Lewin GENES IV, p. 119, Oxford University Press, 1990.) Examples of techniques for introducing nucleic acid into a cell and expressing the nucleic acid to produce protein are provided in references such as Ausubel, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley, 1987-1998, and Sambrook et al., in Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 2^(nd) Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989.

Functional D. Variabilis GABA-Gated Chloride Channel

The identification of the amino acid and nucleic acid sequences of a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel provides tools for obtaining functional channels related to the D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel from other sources such as other ticks and mites. Such identification also provides a starting point for producing functional derivatives of SEQ. ID. NOs. 1, 2 or 3.

The amino acid and nucleic acid sequence information from D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel can be used to help identify and obtain D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel polypeptides and related peptides using different techniques. For example, SEQ. ID. NO. 1 can be used to design degenerative nucleic acid probes or primers to identify and clone nucleic acid encoding for a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel related polypeptide; and SEQ. ID. NO. 4 or fragments thereof, can be used under conditions of moderate stringency to identify and clone nucleic acid encoding D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel related polypeptides.

The use of degenerative probes and moderate stringency conditions for cloning is well known in the art. Examples of such techniques are described by Ausubel, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley, 1987-1998, and Sambrook et al., in Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 2^(nd) Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989.

Starting with a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel obtained from a particular source derivatives can be produced having functional activity. Such derivatives include polypeptides with amino acid substitutions, additions and deletions. Some examples of suitable substitutions are provided by a comparison of SEQ. ID. NOs. 1, 2 and 3. The ability of a polypeptide to have D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel activity can be confirmed using techniques such as those measuring GABA-gated chloride channel activity.

Differences in naturally occurring amino acids are due to different R groups. An R group effects different properties of the amino acid such as physical size, charge and hydrophobicity. Amino acids can be divided into different groups as follows: neutral and hydrophobic (alanine valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, tryptophan, phenylalaine, and methionine); neutral and polar (glycine, serine, threonine, tryosine, cysteine, asparagine, and glutamine); basic (lysine, arginine, and histidine); and acidic (aspartic acid and glutamic acid).

Generally, in substituting different amino acids it is preferable to exchange amino acids having similar properties. Substituting different amino acids within a particular group, such as substituting valine for leucine, arginine for lysine, and asparagine for glutamine are good candidates for not causing a change in polypeptide functioning.

Changes outside of different amino acids groups can also be made. Preferably, such changes are made taking into account the position of the amino acid to be substituted in the polypeptide. For example, arginine can substitute more freely for nonpolor amino acids in the interior of a polypeptide then glutamate because of its long aliphatic side chain. (See, Ausubel, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley, 1987-1998, Supplement 33 Appendix 1C.)

D. Variabilis GABA-Gated Chloride Channel Antibodies

Antibodies recognizing D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel antibodies can be produced using a polypeptide containing SEQ. ID. NOs. 1, 2, 3 or a fragment thereof as an antigen. Preferably, a polypeptide used as an antigen consists of a polypeptide of SEQ. ID. NOs. 1, 2, or 3 or a fragment thereof at least 9 amino acids in length. In an embodiment of the present invention, the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ. ID. NO. 19 (LGKRITMRKTRCQQLAKLAEQHRQR).

Antibodies to D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel have different uses such as being used to identify the presence of a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel and to isolate D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel polypeptides. Identifying the presence of a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel can be used, for example, to identify cells producing a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel and to distinguish such cells from cells of other organisms.

Techniques for producing and using antibodies are well known in the art. Examples of such techniques are described in Ausubel, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley, 1987-1998, Harlow et al., Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1988, and Kohler et al., Nature 256:495-497, 1975.

Binding Assay

D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel or a fragment thereof can be used in studies to identify compounds binding to the channel. Such studies can be performed using different formats including competitive and non-competitive formats. Competition studies can be carried out using compounds known to bind to the channel or after identifying a compound binding to the channel. Examples of compounds that bind to D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel include GABA and fibronil.

Based on the disclosure provided herein procedures measuring binding to a GABA-gated chloride channel from other organisms can be adapted for use with D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel polypeptides. An example of a procedure measuring binding to a GABA-gated chloride channel is provided by Millar et al., Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B. 258:307-314, 1994.

A particular D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel sequence involved in ligand binding can be readily identified by using labeled compounds that bind to a portion of the channel. Different strategies can be employed to select fragments to be tested to narrow down the binding region. Examples of such strategies include testing consecutive fragments about 15 amino acids in length starting at the N-terminus, and testing longer length fragments. If longer length fragments are tested, a fragment binding to a compound can be subdivided to further locate the binding region. Fragments used for binding studies can be generated using recombinant nucleic acid techniques.

Preferably, binding studies are performed using D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel expressed from a recombinant nucleic acid. More preferably, recombinantly expressed D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel consists of the amino acid sequences of SEQ. ID. NOs. 1, 2, or 3.

Binding assays can be performed using individual compounds or preparations containing different numbers of compounds. A preparation containing different numbers of compounds having the ability to bind to the D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel can be divided into smaller groups of compounds that can be tested to identify the compound(s) binding to the channel. In an embodiment of the present invention a test preparation containing at least 10 compounds is used in a binding assay.

Recombinantly produced D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channels used in binding assays can be present in different environments. Such environments include, for example, cell extracts and purified cell extracts containing the D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel; and also include, for example, the use of a purified D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel polypeptide produced by recombinant means which is introduced into a different environment.

Functional Assays

D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel functional assays measure one or more ligand-gated chloride channel activities where the channel is made up in whole, or in part, by the D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel. D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel activity can be measured using the channel described herein by itself; or as a subunit in combination with one or more additional ligand-gated chloride channel subunits (preferably one or more GABA-gated chloride channel subunits), where the subunits combine together to provide functional channel activity.

Assays measuring GABA-gated chloride channel activity include functional screening using ³⁶Cl, functional screening using patch clamp electrophysiology and functional screening using fluorescent dyes. Techniques for carrying out such assays in general are well known in the art. (See, for example, Smith et al., European Journal of Pharmacology 159:261-269, 1998, González and Tsien, Chemistry & Biology 4:269-277, 1997; Millar et al., Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B. 258:307-314, 1994; Rauh et al., TiPS 11:325-329, 1990; and Tsien et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,035.)

Functional assays can be performed using individual compounds or preparations containing different compounds. A preparation containing different compounds where one or more compounds affect D. variabils GABA-gated chloride channel activity can be divided into smaller groups of compounds to identify the compound(s) affecting D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel activity. In an embodiment of the present invention a test preparation containing at least 10 compounds is used in a functional assay.

Recombinantly produced D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel present in different environments can be used in a functional assay. Suitable evironments include live cells and purified cell extracts containing the D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel and an appropriate membrane for activity; and the use of a purified D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel produced by recombinant means that is introduced into a different environment suitable for measuring GABA-gated chloride channel activity.

D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel derivatives can be used to assay for compounds active at the channel and to obtain information concerning different regions of the channel. For example, GABA-gated chloride channel derivatives can be produced where amino acid regions in the native channel are altered and the effect of the alteration on channel activity can be measured to obtain information regarding different channel regions.

D. Variabilis GABA-Gated Chloride Channel Nucleic Acid

D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel nucleic acids contain a region encoding for a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel polypeptide or containing at least 18 contiguous nucleotides that is present in SEQ. ID. NOs. 4, 5, 6 or the complement thereof. Such nucleic acids may contain additional regions present, or not present, in nucleic acid encoding for D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel or in SEQ. ID. NOs. 4, 5, 6 or the complement thereof.

Unique nucleic acid regions can readily be identified by comparing the nucleic acid sequences of SEQ. ID. NOs. 4, 5, and 6 with the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ. ID. NO. 8. FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate a comparison of the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ. ID. NO. 5 with SEQ. ID. NO. 8. The comparison provided in FIGS. 2A-2C can readily be extended to take into account SEQ. ID. NOs. 4 and 6. As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, SEQ. ID. NOs. 4, 5, and 6 are very similar.

In different embodiments a nucleic acid comprises or consists of a unique nucleotide sequence region from a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel. Examples of unique regions include the following:

CAAACGCAACGTGGACAA; (SEQ. ID. NO. 20) GAGCGACTCTCGTTCCAG; (SEQ. ID. NO. 21) ATCGGCTCCGGAGGAGAG; (SEQ. ID. NO. 22) AAGGTCCTCGGTCACGTCCAAAAA; (SEQ. ID. NO. 23) CTCGGCAAGAGAATCACC; (SEQ. ID. NO. 24) GGTTCCTGTCAAGTTTGT; (SEQ. ID. NO. 25) GGTTCCTGTCGGGTTTGT; and (SEQ. ID. NO. 26) CCAACCGGATTTACCATG. (SEQ. ID. NO. 27)

The definition of unique nucleotide sequence region is with respect to D. melanogaster rdl nucleic acid. Thus, for example, a unique nucleotide sequence region may be present in nucleic acids encoding for one or more D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channels and encoding for polypeptides from one or more organisms other than D. melanogaster. Examples of other organisms where a unique D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel nucleotide sequence region may be present include related organisms such as other ticks.

D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel nucleic acid have a variety of uses, such as being used as a hybridization probe or PCR primer to identify the presence of D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel nucleic acid; being used as a hybridization probe or PCR primer to identify nucleic acid encoding for a GABA receptor related to the D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel; and/or being used for recombinant expression of D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel polypeptides.

Regions may be present in D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel nucleic acid that do not encode for a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel segment or are not found in SEQ. ID. NOs. 4, 5, 6 or the complement thereof. Such regions, if present, are preferably chosen to achieve a particular purposes. Examples of additional regions that can be used to achieve a particular purpose include capture regions that can be used as part of a sandwich assay, reporter regions that can be probed to indicate the presence of the nucleic acid, expression vector regions, and regions encoding for other polypeptides.

In different embodiments a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel nucleic acid comprises or consists of a sequence that encodes a unique region of at least 9 contiguous amino acids, at least 18 contiguous amino acids, at least 27 contiguous amino acids, or at least 54 contiguous amino acids present in SEQ. ID. NOs. 1, 2, or 3; or comprises or consists of a sequence of at least 18 contiguous nucleotides, at least 36 contiguous nucleotides, or at least 72 contiguous nucleotides present in SEQ. ID. NOs. 4, 5, 6, or the complement thereof. Preferably, the D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel nucleic acid comprises or consists of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID. NOs. 4, 5, or 6.

D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel nucleic acid also includes nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having a sequence similarity of at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or at least about 95% with SEQ. ID. NO. 1; and nucleic acid having a sequence similarity of at least about 85%, preferably 90%, with SEQ. ID. NO. 4. Sequence similarity for nucleic acid can be determined by the Smith and Waterman Bestfit Algorithm with gap weight 8; length weight 2; and FASTA (Pearson 1990. Methods in Enzymology 183, 63-98, hereby incorporated by reference herein). In one embodiment sequence similarity is determined using FASTA search program with the following parameters: MATRIX: BLOSUM50, GAP PENALTIES: open=−12; residue=−2.

The guidance provided in the present application can be used to obtain nucleic acid sequences encoding for D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channels, for related channels from different sources and to construct channels having D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel activity. Obtaining nucleic acids encoding for channels from different sources, related to a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel, is facilitated using sets of degenerative probes and primers and by the proper selection of hybridization conditions. Sets of degenerative probes and primers can be produced taking into account the degeneracy of the genetic code. Adjusting hybridization conditions is useful for controlling probe or primer specificity to allow for hybridization to nucleic acids having similar sequences.

Techniques employed for hybridization detection and PCR cloning are well known in the art. Nucleic acid detection techniques are described, for example, in Sambrook et al., in Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 2^(nd) Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989. PCR cloning techniques are described, for example, in White, Methods in Molecular Cloning, volume 67, Humana Press, 1997.

D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel probes and primers can be used to screen nucleic acid libraries containing, for example, genomic DNA or cDNA. Such libraries can be produced using techniques such as those described in Ausubel, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley, 1987-1998.

Starting with a particular D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel amino acid sequence and the known degeneracy of the genetic code, a large number of different encoding nucleic acid sequences can be obtained. The degeneracy of the genetic code arises because almost all amino acids are encoded for by different combinations of nucleotide triplets or “codons”. The translation of a particular codon into a particular amino acid is well known in the art (see, e.g., Lewin GENES IV, p. 119, Oxford University Press, 1990). Amino acid are encoded for by codons as follows:

-   A=Ala=Alanine: codons GCA, GCC, GCG, GCU -   C=Cys=Cysteine: codons UGC, UGU -   D=Asp=Aspartic acid: codons GAC, GAU -   E=Glu=Glutamic acid: codons GAA, GAG -   F=Phe=Phenylalanine: codons UUC, UUU -   G=Gly=Glycine: codons GGA, GGC, GGG, GGU -   H=His=Histidine: codons CAC, CAU -   I=Ile=Isoleucine: codons AUA, AUC, AUU -   K=Lys=Lysine: codons AAA, AAG -   L=Leu=Leucine: codons UUA, UUG, CUA, CUC, CUG, CUU -   M=Met=Methionine: codon AUG -   N=Asn=Asparagine: codons AAC, AAU -   P=Pro=Proline: codons CCA, CCC, CCG, CCU -   Q=Gln=Glutamine: codons CAA, CAG -   R=Arg=Arginine: codons AGA, AGG, CGA, CGC, CGG, CGU -   S=Ser=Serine: codons AGC, AGU, UCA, UCC, UCG, UCU -   T=Thr=Threonine: codons ACA, ACC, ACG, ACU -   V=Val=Valine: codons GUA, GUC, GUG, GUU -   W=Trp=Tryptophan: codon UGG -   Y=Tyr=Tyrosine: codons UAC, UAU.

Nucleic acid having a desired sequence can be synthesized using chemical and biochemical techniques. Examples of chemical techniques are described in Ausubel, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley, 1987-1998, and Sambrook et al., in Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 2^(nd) Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989.

Biochemical synthesis techniques involve the use of a nucleic acid template and appropriate enzymes such as DNA and/or RNA polymerases. Examples of such techniques include in vitro amplification techniques such as PCR and transcription based amplification, and in vivo nucleic acid replication. Examples of suitable techniques are provided by Ausubel, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley, 1987-1998, Sambrook et al., in Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 2^(nd) Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989, and Kacian et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,784.

D. Variabilis GABA-Gated Chloride Channel Probes

A probe for a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel nucleic acid contains a region that can specifically hybridize to D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel target nucleic acid under appropriate hybridization conditions and can distinguish D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel nucleic acid from non-target nucleic acids. Probes for D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel can contain nucleic acid that are not complementary to D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel nucleic acid.

Preferably, non-complementary nucleic acid that is present in a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel nucleic acid probe has a particular purpose such as being a reporter sequence or being a capture sequence. However, additional nucleic acid need not have a particular purpose as long as the additional nucleic acid does not prevent the probe from distinguishing between target and non-target nucleic acid.

Hybridization occurs through complementary nucleotide bases. Hybridization conditions determine whether two molecules, or regions, have sufficiently strong interactions with each other to form a stable hybrid.

The degree of interaction between two molecules that hybridize together is reflected by the Tm of the produced hybrid. The higher the Tm the stronger the interaction and the more stable the hybrid. Tm is effected by different factors well known in the art such as the degree of complementarily, the type of complementary bases present (e.g., A-T hybridization versus G-C hybridization), the presence of modified nucleic acid, and solution components. (E.g., Sambrook et al., in Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 2^(nd) Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989.)

Stable hybrids are formed when the Tm of a hybrid is greater than the temperature employed under a particular set of hybridization assay conditions. The degree of specificity of a probe can be varied by adjusting the hybridization stringency conditions. Detecting probe hybridization is facilitated through the use of a detectable label. Examples of detectable labels include luminescent, enzymatic, and radioactive labels.

Examples of stringency conditions are provided in Sambrook et al., in Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 2^(nd) Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989. An example of high stringency conditions is as follows: Prehybridization of filters containing DNA is carried out for 2 hours to overnight at 65° C. in buffer composed of 6×SSC, 5× Denhardt's solution, and 100 μg/ml denatured salmon sperm DNA. Filters are hybridized for 12 to 48 hours at 65° C. in prehybridization mixture containing 100 μg/ml denatured salmon sperm DNA and 5-20×10⁶ cpm of ³²P-labeled probe. Washing of filters is done at 37° C. for 1 hour in a solution containing 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS. This is followed by a wash in 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 50° C. for 45 minutes. Other procedures using conditions of high stringency include, for example, either a hybridization step carried out in 5×SSC, 5× Denhardt's solution, 50% formamide at 42° C. for 12 to 48 hours or a washing step carried out in 0.2×SSPE, 0.2% SDS at 65° C. for 30 to 60 minutes.

Probes are composed of nucleic acids or derivatives thereof such as modified nucleic acid and peptide nucleic acid. Modified nucleic acid includes nucleic acid with one or more altered sugar groups, altered internucleotide linkages, and/or altered nucleotide purine or pyrimidine bases. References describing modified nucleic acid include WO 98/02582, U.S. Pat. No. 5,859,221 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,852,188, each of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

Recombinant Expression

D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel polypeptides can be expressed from recombinant nucleic acid in a suitable host, or in a test tube using a translation system. Recombinantly expressed D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel polypeptides are preferably used in assays to screen for compounds that bind to the channel and modulate the activity of the channel.

Preferably, expression is achieved in a host cell using an expression vector. An expression vector contains recombinant nucleic acid encoding for a desired polypeptide along with regulatory elements for proper transcription and processing. The regulatory elements that may be present include those naturally associated with the recombinant nucleic acid and exogenous regulatory elements not naturally associated with the recombinant nucleic acid. Exogenous regulatory elements such as an exogenous promoter can be useful for expressing recombinant nucleic acid in a particular host.

Generally, the regulatory elements that are present in an expression vector include a transcriptional promoter, a ribosome binding site, a terminator, and an optionally present operator. A preferred element is a polyadenylation signal providing for processing in eukaryotic cells. Other preferred elements include an origin of replication for autonomous replication in a host cell, a selectable marker, a limited number of useful restriction enzyme sites, and a potential for high copy number. Examples of expression vectors are cloning vectors, modified cloning vectors, specifically designed plasmids and viruses.

Expression vectors providing suitable levels of polypeptide expression in different hosts are well known in the art. Mammalian expression vectors well known in the art include pcDNA3 (Invitrogen), pMC1neo (Stratagene), pXT1 (Stratagene), pSG5 (Stratagene), EBO-pSV2-neo (ATCC 37593), pBPV-1(8-2) (ATCC 37110), pdBPV-MMTneo(342-12) (ATCC 37224), pRSVgpt (ATCC 37199), pRSVneo (ATCC 37198), pSV2-dhfr (ATCC 37146), pUCTag (ATCC 37460), pCI-neo (Promega) and .lambda.ZD35 (ATCC 37565). Bacterial expression vectors well known in the art include pET11a (Novagen), lambda gt11 (Invitrogen), pcDNAII (Invitrogen), and pKK223-3 (Pharmacia). Fungal cell expression vectors well known in the art include pYES2 (Invitrogen) and Pichia expression vector (Invitrogen). Insect cell expression vectors well known in the art include Blue Bac III (Invitrogen).

Recombinant host cells may be prokaryotic or eukaryotic. Examples of recombinant host cells include the following: bacteria such as E. coli; fungal cells such as yeast; mammalian cells such as human, bovine, porcine, monkey and rodent; and insect cells such as Drosophila and silkworm derived cell lines. Commercially available mammalian cell lines include L cells L-M(TK.sup.-) (ATCC CCL 1.3), L cells L-M (ATCC CCL 1.2), 293 (ATCC CRL 1573), Raji (ATCC CCL 86), CV-1 (ATCC CCL 70), COS-1 (ATCC CRL 1650), COS-7 (ATCC CRL 1651), CHO-K1 (ATCC CCL 61), 3T3 (ATCC CCL 92), NIH/3T3 (ATCC CRL 1658), HeLa (ATCC CCL 2), C1271 (ATCC CRL 1616), BS-C-1 (ATCC CCL 26) and MRC-5 (ATCC CCL 171).

To enhance expression in a particular host it may be useful to modify the sequence provided in SEQ. ID. NOs. 4, 5, or 6 to take into account codon usage of the host. Codon usage of different organisms are well known in the art. (See, Ausubel, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley, 1987-1998, Supplement 33, Appendix 1C.)

Expression vectors may be introduced into host cells using standard techniques. Examples of such techniques include transformation, transfection, lipofection, protoplast fusion, and electroporation.

Nucleic acid encoding for a polypeptide can be expressed in a cell without the use of an expression vector employing, for example, synthetic mRNA or native mRNA. Additionally, mRNA can be translated in various cell-free systems such as wheat germ extracts and reticulocyte extracts, as well as in cell based systems, such as frog oocytes. Introduction of mRNA into cell based systems can be achieved, for example, by microinjection.

Antiparistic Applications

Using the present application as a guide compounds able to modulate D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel can be obtained and used to treat or prevent a D. variabilis infestation. Such compounds may also be useful in treating or preventing infestation of other parasites.

Compounds able to modulate D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel that are useful as an antiparasitic agent can be administered to a patient or can be used to treat a particular area to eliminate a parasite or prevent entry of a parasite.

A patient refers to a mammal being treated for the elimination or prevention of a D. variabilis infestation. Treatment can be carried out using different means including internal administration or topical administration.

Internal administration can be by different routes including oral or by injection to a patient. A tick can be exposed to internally administered compounds during blood feeding. Guidelines for pharmaceutical administration in general are provided in, for example, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences 18^(th) Edition, Ed. Gennaro, Mack Publishing, 1990, and Modern Pharmaceutics 2^(nd) Edition, Eds. Banker and Rhodes, Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1990, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel active compounds having appropriate functional groups can be prepared as acidic or base salts. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts (in the form of water- or oil-soluble or dispersible products) include conventional non-toxic salts or the quaternary ammonium salts that are formed, e.g., from inorganic or organic acids or bases. Examples of such salts include acid addition salts such as acetate, adipate, alginate, aspartate, benzoate, benzenesulfonate, bisulfate, butyrate, citrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, fumarate, glucoheptanoate, glycerophosphate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonate, lactate, maleate, methanesulfonate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, oxalate, pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, succinate, tartrate, thiocyanate, tosylate, and undecanoate; and base salts such as ammonium salts, alkali metal salts such as sodium and potassium salts, alkaline earth metal salts such as calcium and magnesium salts, salts with organic bases such as dicyclohexylamine salts, N-methyl-D-glucamine, and salts with amino acids such as arginine and lysine.

Active ingredients to be administered orally as a suspension can be prepared according to techniques well known in the art of pharmaceutical formulation and may contain microcrystalline cellulose for imparting bulk, alginic acid or sodium alginate as a suspending agent, methylcellulose as a viscosity enhancer, and sweeteners/flavoring agents. As immediate release tablets, these compositions may contain microcrystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, starch, magnesium stearate and lactose and/or other excipients, binders, extenders, disintegrants, diluents and lubricants.

The compounds may also be administered to a patient by intravenous (both bolus and infusion), intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, topical with or without occlusion, or intramuscular form, all using forms well known to those of ordinary skill in the pharmaceutical arts. When administered by injection, the injectable solutions or suspensions may be formulated using suitable non-toxic, parenterally-acceptable diluents or solvents, such as mannitol, 1,3-butanediol, water, Ringer's solution or isotonic sodium chloride solution, or suitable dispersing or wetting and suspending agents, such as sterile, bland, fixed oils, including synthetic mono- or diglycerides, and fatty acids, including oleic acid.

Suitable dosing regimens for the antiparasitic applications of the present invention are selected taking into account factors well known in the art including type of mammal being treated as a patient, the age, weight, medical condition of the patient; the route of administration; the renal and hepatic function of the patient; and the particular compound employed. Optimal precision in achieving concentrations of drug within the range that yields efficacy without toxicity requires a regimen based on the kinetics of the drug's availability to target sites. This involves a consideration of the distribution, equilibrium, and elimination of the drug.

Topical application of antiparasitic compounds can be achieved through the use of a liquid drench or a shampoo containing an active compound as an aqueous solution, dispersion or suspension. These formulations generally contain a suspending agent such as bentonite, a wetting agent or the like excipient, and normally will also contain an antifoaming agent. In different embodiments of the present invention formulations contain from 0.001 to 1% by weight of the active ingredient, or contain from 0.01 to 1% by weight of the active compounds.

D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel modulating compounds can be provided in kit. Such a kit typically contains an active compound in dosage forms for use. A dosage form contains a sufficient amount of active compound such that a beneficial effect can be obtained when used during regular intervals, such as 1 to 6 times a day, during the course of 1 or more days. Preferably, a kit contains instructions indicating the use of the dosage form for treating or preventing a tick infestation and the amount of dosage form to be used over a specified time period.

EXAMPLES

Examples are provided below to further illustrate different features and advantages of the present invention. The examples also illustrate useful methodology for practicing the invention. These examples do not limit the claimed invention.

Example 1 Cloning of a D. Variabilis GABA-Gated Chloride Channel

A D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel was cloned using a Rhipicephalus sanguineus GluCl gene encoding segment as a probe (SEQ. ID. NO. 28) and screening a tick Dermacentor cDNA library. Cloned D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channels were used to synthesize in vitro transcribed capped RNA.

A tick Dermacentor cDNA library was produced using PolyA⁺ RNA purified from whole Dermacentor ticks to generate an oligo(dT)-primed ZAP cDNA library cloned as 5′ EcoRI-3′ XhoI inserts. The library consisted of approximately 1.8×10⁶ independent clones prior to amplification. The ZAP Express cDNA Synthesis Kit and the ZAP Express™ cDNA GigapackIII Gold Cloning Kit were purchased from Stratagene (La Jolla, Calif.) and used according to the manufacturer's instructions.

The tick Dermacentor cDNA library was probed by detecting hybridization with the nucleic acid probe of SEQ. ID. NO. 28. Hybridization was performed in 6×SSPE, 0.1% SDS, 10× Denhardt's solution, salmon sperm DNA (200 μg/ml), and 45% formamide at 42° C. The membranes were then washed twice in i) 2×SSC, 0.5% SDS at room temperature for 15 minutes and ii) 0.2×SSC, 0.5% SDS at 42° C. for 30 minutes, followed by a single wash in 0.2×SSC, 0.5% SDS at 55° C. for 30 minutes. Nine positive clones, including Dv5, Dv8 and Dv9, were identified in the original screen.

The Dv5, Dv8 and Dv9 inserts were excised from the phage, converted to pBK-CMV phagemid vectors using the manufacturer's protocol (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.), and sequenced on an ABI PRISM™ 377 DNA Sequencer (Perkin Elmer, Foster City, Calif.). The open reading frames for Dv8, Dv9, and Dv5 are shown in SEQ. ID. NOs. 4,5, and 6.

Synthesis of In Vitro Transcribed Capped RNA

A PCR strategy was used to add the T7 promoter upstream of the initiating methionine (ATG) and a polyA+ tail following the stop codon (TAG) of the open reading frame (ORF) of clones Dv5, Dv8 and Dv9. Amplified ORFs containing the flanking T7 promoter and polyA+tail were used directly as templates in the in vitro transcription reaction (mMessage mMachine™, Ambion, Austin, Tex.).

After removal of DNA template, the volume was adjusted to 100 μl with nuclease free water, and RNA purified using a G-50 Sephadex Column (Boehringer Mannheim, Indianapolis, Ind.). The elutate was extracted with an equal volume of phenol/chloroform, followed with a second chloroform extraction, precipitated with isopropyl alcohol, and resuspended in nuclease-free water to a storage concentration of 1 μg/μl.

SEQ. ID. NO. 28 CGGATATTGGACAGCATCATTGGCCAGGGTCGTTATGACTGCAGGATCCG GCCCATGGGAATTAACAACACAGACGGGCCGGCTCTTGTACGCGTTAACA TCTTTGTAAGAAGTATCGGCAGAATTGATGACGTCACCATGGAGTACACA GTGCAAATGACGTTCAGAGAGCAGTGGCGGGACGAGAGACTCCAGTACGA CGACTTGGGCGGCCAGGTTCGCTACCTGACGCTCACCGAACCGGACAAGC TTTGGAAGCCGGACCTGTTTTTCTCCAACGAGAAAGAGGGACACTTCCAC AACATCATCATGCCCAACGTGCTTCTACGCATACATCCCAACGGCGACGT TCTCTTCAGCATCAGAATATCCTTGGTGCTTTCATGTCCGATGAACCTGA AATTTTATCCTTTGGATAAACAAATCTGCTCTATCGTCATGGTGAGCTAT GGGTATACAACAGAGGACCTGGTGTTTCTATGGAAAGAGGGGGATCCTGT ACAGGTCACAAAAAATCTCCACTTGCCACGTTTCACGCTGGAAAGGTTTC AAACCGACTACTGCACCAGTCGGACCAACACTGGCGAGTACAGCTGCTTG CGCGTGGACCTGGTGTTCAAGCGCGAGTTCAGCTACTACCTGATCCAGAT CTACATCCCGTGCTGCATGCTGGTCATCGTGTCCTGGGTGTCGTTCTGGC TCGACCCCACCTCGATCCCGGCGCGAGTGTCGCTGGGCGTCACCACCCTG CTCACCATGGCCACGCAGATATCGGGCATCAACGCCTCGCTGCCTCCCGT TTCCTACACCAAGGCCATTGACGTGTGGACCGGCGTCTGTCTGACCTTCG TATTCGGCGCGCTCCTCGAGTTCGCCCTGGTCAACTACGCCTCGCGGTCA GATTCACGCCGGCAGAACATGCAGAAGCAGAAGCAGAGGAAATGGGAGCT CGAGCCGCCCCTGGACTCGGACCACCTGGAGGACGGCGCCACCACGTTCG CCATGAGGCCGCTGGTGCACCACCACGGAGAGCTGCATGCCGACAAGTTG CGGCAGTGCGAAGTCCACATGAAGACCCCCAAGACGAACCTTTGCAAGGC CTGGCTTTCCAGGTTTCCCACGCGATCCAAACGCATCGACGTCGTCTCGC GGATCTTCTTTCCGCTCATGTTCGCCCTCTTCAACCTCGTCTACTGG

Example 2 SEQ. ID. NOs. 1-6

SEQ. ID. NOs. 1-6 provide amino acid and nucleic acid sequences for D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channels. As noted above, the differences between the amino acid sequences of SEQ. ID. NOs. 1-3, and differences between SEQ. ID. NOs. 4-6, are due to mRNA editing and strain variation.

SEQ. ID. NO. 1 (from Dv8) MRQAMAFSCWSFVLFVAVAVTSAGRDNGPAPLRPGQTQRGQNITQILNAF FTRGYDRRVRPNYGGVPVEVGVTMQIISISTVSEVQMDFTSDFYFRQSWR DERLSFQKSPDLESMTVGAEVAERIWVPDTFFANEKSAYFHAATTPNTFL RIGSGGEVFRSIRLTVTASCPMDLRYFPMDRQACTIEIESFGYTMKDIRY RWSDGDTSVRIAKEVELPQFKVLGHVQKAKEVALTTGNYSRLVCEIRFAR SMGYYLIQIYIPAGLIVVISWVSFWLHRDASPARVALGVTTVLTMTTLMS STNAALPKISYVKSIDVYLGTCFVMVFTALLEYAAVGYLGKRITMRKTRC QQLAKLAEQHRQRCAAASSNEPSSEPLLASPEVSIVKTVGSCQVCPAAVA SQGQPREAPPTGFTMGRRGADQCCPGLQGSCQVCPAAVASQTQQQAPPPG IPMEVRLKMVDPKGFSKSSTLENTVNGAPDIEAAFCKNPNKLFGVGPSDI DKYSRVVFPVCFVCFDLMYWIIYLHISDVLPDDVGDD SEQ. ID. NO.2 (from Dv9) MRQAMAFSCWSFVLFVAVAVTSAGRDNGPAPLRPGQTQRGQNITQILNAF FTRGYDRRVRPNYGGVPVEVGVTMQIISISTVSEVQMDFTSDFYFRQSWR DERLSFQKSPDLESMTVGAEVAERIWVPDTFFANEKSAYFHAATTPNTFL RIGSGGEVFRSIRLTVTASCPMDLRYFPMDRQACTIEIESFGYTMKDIRY RWSDGDTSVRIAKEVELPQFKVLGHVQKAKEVALTTGNYSRLVCEIRFAR SMGYYLIQIYIPAGLIVVISWVSFWLHRNASPARVALGVTTVLTMTTLMS STNAALPKISYVKSIDVYLGTCFVMVFTALLEYAAVGYLGKRITMRKTRC QQLAKLAEQHRQRCAAASSNEPSSEPLLASPEVSIVKTVGSCQVCPAAVA SQGQPREAPPTGFTMGRRGADQCCPGLQGSCQVCPAAVASQTQQQAPPPG IPMEVRLKMVDPKGFSKSSTLENTVNGAPDIEAAFCKNPNKLFGVGPSDI DKYSRVVFPVCFVCFDLMYWIIYLHISDVLPDDVGDD SEQ. ID. NO. 3 (from Dv5) MRQAMAFSCWSFVLFVAVAVTSAGRDNGPAPLRPGQTQRGQNITQILNAF FTRGYDRRVRPNYGGVPVEVGVTMQIISISTVSEVQMDFTSDFYFRQSWR DERLSFQKSPDLESMTVGAEVAERIWVPDTFFANEKSAYFHAATTPNTFL RIGSGGEVFRSIRLTVTAGCPMDLRYFPMDRQACTIEIESFGYTMKDIRY RWSDGDTSVRIAKEVELPQFKVLGHVQKAKEVALTTGNYSRLVCEIRFAR SMGYYLIQIYIPAGLIVVISWVSFWLHRDASPARVALGVTTVLTMTTLMS STNAALPKISYVKSIDVYLGTCFVMVFTALLEYAAVGYLGKRITMRKTRC QQLAKLAEQHRQRCAAASSNEPSSEPLLASPEVSIVKTVGSCRVCPAAVA SQGQPREAPPTGFTMGRRGADQCCPGLQGSCQVCPAAVASQTQQQAPPPG IPMEVRLKMVDPKGFSKSSTLENTVNGAPGIEAAFCKNPNKLFGVGPSDI DKYSRVVFPVCFVCFGLMYWIIYLHVSDVLPDDVGDD SEQ. ID. NO.4 (from Dv8) ATGAGACAAGCGATGGCGTTCAGTTGCTGGTCCTTCGTTCTCTTCGTGGC CGTCGCTGTCACCAGTGCCGGTCGGGATAATGGTCCAGCCCCCCTGCGGC CGGGACAAACGCAACGTGGACAAAACATCACGCAGATTCTGAATGCCTTC TTTACACGTGGGTACGACAGGAGGGTGAGGCCAAATTATGGCGGCGTTCC AGTGGAAGTTGGCGTCACTATGCAGATTATCAGCATAAGTACAGTCTCTG AAGTACAAATGGACTTTACTTCTGACTTCTATTTCCGGCAATCGTGGCGG GACGAGCGACTCTCGTTCCAGAAAAGCCCAGACCTCGAGAGCATGACTGT GGGCGCTGAAGTGGCCGAGAGGATCTGGGTACCCGACACCTTCTTCGCCA ACGAGAAGAGCGCCTACTTTCATGCGGCCACAACGCCCAACACTTTCCTC CGCATCGGCTCCGGAGGAGAGGTTTTCCGCAGTATTCGACTGACGGTGAC TGCCAGCTGCCCAATGGATCTCAGATACTTCCCGATGGACAGACAAGCGT GCACTATAGAGATAGAAAGCTTTGGTTATACCATGAAAGACATCCGCTAC CGGTGGTCGGACGGTGACACCTCCGTCCGCATCGCCAAGGAGGTAGAGTT GCCGCAGTTCAAGGTCCTCGGTCACGTCCAAAAAGCCAAAGAGGTTGCCC TAACGACAGGAAACTACTCCCGCCTGGTATGTGAAATACGGTTCGCCCGC TCCATGGGCTACTACCTGATCCAGATCTACATCCCGGCCGGATTGATCGT GGTTATTTCCTGGGTCTCCTTTTGGCTCCACCGTGACGCTAGTCCAGCTC GCGTCGCGCTCGGCGTCACCACCGTGCTCACGATGACCACACTCATGTCC AGTACCAACGCAGCGCTGCCCAAAATATCCTACGTCAAGAGTATCGACGT CTACCTGGGCACATGTTTCGTAATGGTGTTTACCGCGCTCCTGGAGTACG CCGCGGTAGGATATCTCGGCAAGAGAATCACCATGAGGAAAACCCGCTGT CAGCAGCTGGCAAAACTTGCAGAGCAACACAGGCAGAGATGCGCCGCGGC TTCTTCCAACGAGCCAAGCTCTGAGCCCTTGCTAGCCAGTCCTGAAGTAT CCATTGTCAAGACGGTCGGTTCCTGTCAAGTTTGTCCTGCTGCGGTGGCA TCCCAAGGACAACCGAGGGAAGCACCACCAACCGGATTTACCATGGGTCG CAGAGGCGCAGACCAATGTTGCCCTGGTCTCCAGGGTTCATGTCAGGTCT GCCCCGCTGCGGTCGCCTCACAAACCCAACAACAGGCTCCTCCACCAGGG ATACCTATGGAAGTACGTCTCAAAATGGTTGACCCCAAGGGATTCAGCAA ATCCTCGACTCTGGAGAACACCGTCAACGGCGCGCCGGACATCGAGGCAG CGTTTTGCAAGAACCCCAACAAATTATTTGGCGTCGGCCCTTCCGATATC GACAAGTACTCCCGAGTGGTGTTCCCCGTTTGCTTCGTCTGTTTCGACCT CATGTACTGGATCATTTACCTGCACATCAGCGACGTTCTGCCGGACGACG TCGGCGACGACTAG SEQ. ID. NO. 5 (from Dv9) ATGAGACAAGCGATGGCGTTCAGTTGCTGGTCCTTCGTTCTCTTCGTGGC CGTCGCTGTCACCAGTGCCGGTCGGGATAATGGTCCAGCCCCCCTGCGGC CGGGACAAACGCAACGTGGACAAAACATCACGCAGATTCTGAATGCCTTC TTTACACGTGGGTACGACAGGAGGGTGAGGCCAAATTATGGCGGCGTTCC AGTGGAAGTTGGCGTCACTATGCAGATTATCAGCATAAGTACAGTCTCTG AAGTACAAATGGACTTTACTTCTGACTTCTATTTCCGGCAATCGTGGCGG GACGAGCGACTCTCGTTCCAGAAAAGCCCAGACCTCGAGAGCATGACTGT GGGCGCTGAAGTGGCCGAGAGGATCTGGGTACCCGACACCTTCTTCGCCA ACGAGAAGAGCGCCTACTTTCATGCGGCCACAACGCCCAACACTTTCCTC CGCATCGGCTCCGGAGGAGAGGTTTTCCGCAGTATTCGACTGACGGTGAC TGCCAGCTGCCCAATGGATCTCAGATACTTCCCGATGGACAGACAAGCGT GCACTATAGAGATAGAAAGCTTTGGTTATACCATGAAAGACATCCGCTAC CGGTGGTCGGACGGTGACACGTCCGTCCGCATCGCCAAGGAGGTAGAGTT GCCGCAGTTCAAGGTCCTCGGTCACGTCCAAAAAGCCAAAGAGGTTGCCC TAACGACAGGAAACTACTCCCGCCTGGTATGTGAAATACGGTTCGCCCGC TCCATGGGCTACTACCTGATCCAGATCTACATCCCGGCCGGATTGATCGT GGTTATTTCCTGGGTCTCCTTTTGGCTCCACCGTAACGCTAGTCCAGCTC GCGTCGCGCTCGGCGTCACCACCGTGCTCACGATGACCACACTCATGTCC AGTACCAACGCAGCGCTGCCCAAAATATCCTACGTCAAGAGTATCGACGT CTACCTGGGCACATGTTTCGTAATGGTGTTTACCGCGCTCCTGGAGTACG CCGCGGTAGGATATCTCGGCAAGAGAATCACCATGAGGAAAACCCGCTGT CAGCAGCTGGCAAAACTTGCAGAGCAACACAGGCAGAGATGCGCCGCAGC TTCTTCCAACGAGCCAAGCTCTGAGCCCTTGCTAGCCAGTCCTGAAGTAT CCATTGTCAAGACGGTCGGTTCCTGTCAAGTTTGTCCTGCTGCGGTGGCA TCCCAAGGACAACCGAGGGAAGCACCACCAACCGGATTTACCATGGGTCG CAGAGGCGCAGACCAATGTTGCCCTGGTCTCCAGGGTTCATGTCAGGTCT GCCCCGCTGCGGTCGCCTCACAAACCCAACAACAGGCTCCTCCACCAGGG ATACCTATGGAAGTACGTCTCAAAATGGTTGACCCCAAGGGATTCAGCAA ATCCTCGACTCTGGAGAACACCGTCAACGGCGCGCCGGACATCGAGGCAG CGTTTTGCAAGAACCCCAACAAATTATTTGGCGTCGGCCCTTCCGATATC GACAAGTACTCCCGAGTGGTGTTCCCCGTTTGCTTCGTCTGTTTCGACCT CATGTACTGGATCATTTACCTGCACATCAGCGACGTTCTGCCGGACGACG TCGGCGACGACTAG SEQ. ID. NO. 6 (from Dv5) ATGAGACAAGCGATGGCGTTCAGTTGCTGGTCCTTCGTTCTCTTCGTGGC CGTCGCTGTCACCAGTGCCGGTCGGGATAATGGTCCAGCCCCCCTGCGGC CGGGACAAACGCAACGTGGACAAAACATCACGCAGATTCTGAATGCCTTC TTTACACGTGGGTACGACAGGAGGGTGAGGCCAAATTATGGCGGCGTTCC AGTGGAAGTTGGCGTCACTATGCAGATTATCAGCATAAGTACAGTCTCTG AAGTACAAATGGACTTTACTTCTGACTTCTATTTCCGGCAATCGTGGCGG GACGAGCGACTCTCGTTCCAGAAAAGCCCAGACCTCGAGAGCATGACTGT GGGCGCTGAAGTGGCCGAGAGGATCTGGGTACCCGACACCTTCTTCGCCA ACGAGAAGAGCGCCTACTTTCATGCGGCCACAACGCCCAACACTTTCCTC CGCATCGGCTCCGGAGGAGAGGTTTTCCGCAGTATTCGACTGACGGTGAC TGCCGGCTGCCCAATGGATCTCAGATACTTCCCGATGGACAGACAAGCGT GCACTATAGAGATAGAAAGCTTTGGTTATACCATGAAAGACATCCGCTAC CGGTGGTCGGACGGTGACACCTCCGTCCGCATCGCCAAGGAGGTAGAGTT GCCGCAGTTCAAGGTCCTCGGTCACGTCCAAAAAGCCAAAGAGGTTGCCC TAACGACAGGAAACTACTCCCGCCTGGTATGTGAAATACGGTTCGCCCGC TCCATGGGCTACTACCTGATCCAGATCTACATCCCGGCCGGATTGATCGT GGTTATTTCCTGGGTCTCCTTTTGGCTCCACCGTGACGCTAGTCCAGCTC GCGTCGCGCTCGGCGTCACCACCGTGCTCACGATGACCACACTCATGTCC AGTACCAACGCAGCGCTGCCCAAAATATCCTACGTCAAGAGTATCGACGT CTACCTGGGCACATGTTTCGTAATGGTGTTTACCGCGCTCCTGGAGTACG CCGCGGTAGGATATCTCGGCAAGAGAATCACCATGAGGAAAACCCGCTGT CAGCAGCTGGCAAAACTTGCAGAGCAACACAGGCAGAGATGCGCCGCGGC TTCTTCCAACGAGCCAAGCTCTGAGCCCTTGCTAGCCAGTCCTGAGGTAT CCATTGTCAAGACGGTCGGTTCCTGTCGGGTTTGTCCTGCTGCGGTGGCA TCCCAAGGACAACCGAGGGAAGCACCACCAACCGGATTTACCATGGGTCG CAGAGGCGCAGACCAATGTTGCCCTGGTCTCCAGGGTTCATGTCAGGTCT GCCCCGCTGCGGTCGCCTCACAAACCCAACAACAGGCTCCTCCACCAGGG ATACCTATGGAAGTACGTCTCAAAATGGTTGACCCCAAGGGATTCAGCAA ATCCTCGACTCTGGAGAACACCGTCAACGGCGCGCCGGGCATCGAGGCAG CGTTTTGCAAGAACCCCAACAAATTATTTGGCGTCGGCCCTTCGATATCG ACAAGTACTCCCGAGTGGTGTTCCCCGTTTGCTTCGTCTGTTTCGGCCTC ATGTACTGGATCATTTACCTGCACGTCAGCGACGTTCTGCCGGACGACGT CGGCGACGACTAG

Example 3 Functional Expression

Functional expression of a D. variabilis GABA-gated chloride channel was observed using MRNA encoding for the polypeptide of SEQ. ID. NOs. 1, 2, and 3 injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes. MRNA encoding for SEQ. ID. NOs. 1, 2, and 3 were obtained using the Dv8, Dv9, and Dv5 clones as described in Example 1.

Xenopus laevis oocytes were prepared and injected using standard methods previously described. (Arena et al., Mol. Pharmaco. 40:368-374, 1991; and Arena et al., Mol. Brain Res. 15:339-348, 1992.) Adult female Xenopus laevis were anesthetized with 0.17% tricaine methanesulfonate and the ovaries were surgically removed and placed in a solution consisting of (mM): NaCl 82.5, KCl 2, MgCl₂ 1, HEPES 5, NaPyruvate 2.5, Penicillin G. 100,000 units/L, Streptomycin Sulfate 1000 mg/L, pH 7.5 (Mod. OR-2).

Ovarian lobes were broken open, rinsed several times in Mod. OR-2, and incubated in 0.2% collagenase (Sigma, Type1) in Mod. OR-2 at room temperature with gentle shaking. After 1 hour the collagenase solution was renewed and the oocytes were incubated for an additional 30-90 minutes until approximately 50% of the oocytes were released from the ovaries. Stage V and VI oocytes were selected and placed in media containing (mM): NaCl 96, KCl 2, MgCl₂ 1, CaCl₂ 1.8, HEPES 5, NaPyruvate 2.5, theophylline 0.5, gentamicin 50 mg/ml, pH 7.5 (ND-96) for 16-24 hours before injection. Oocytes were injected with 50 nl of Dv8, Dv9, or Dv5 RNA at a concentration of 0.2 mg/ml. Oocytes were incubated at 18° C. for 1-6 days in ND-96 before recording.

Recordings were made at room temperature in modified ND-96 consisting of (mM): NaCl 96, MgCl₂ 1, CaCl₂ 0.1, BaCl₂ 3.5, HEPES 5, pH 7.5. Oocytes were voltage clamped using a Dagan CA1 two microelectrode amplifier (Dagan Corporation, Minneapolis, Minn.) interfaced to a Macintosh 7100/80 computer. The current passing electrode was filled with 0.7 M KCl, 1.7 M KCitrate, and the voltage recording electrode was filled with 1 M KCl. Throughout the experiment oocytes were superfused with modified ND-96 (control solution) or with ND-96 containing potential channel activators and blockers at a rate of approximately 3 ml/min. Data were acquired at 100 Hz and filtered at 33.3 Hz using Pulse software from HEKA Elektronik (Lambrecht, Germany). All recordings were performed from a holding potential of either 0 or −30 mV.

Oocytes expressing Dv8 and Dv9 exhibited a rapidly activating current in response to application of 1 mM GABA (FIGS. 4 and 5). During a 60s application of GABA approximately 50% of the current desensitized and the remaining current deactivated rapidly upon wash-out of GABA. Repeated applications of 1 mM GABA elicited similar responses. In contrast, 1 mM glutamate did not activate a current. The GABA-activated current was blocked completely by 5 μM fipronil (FIG. 5) and by 10 μM picrotoxinin (data not shown). Oocytes injected with Dv5 mRNA responded similarly to oocytes injected with Dv8 and Dv9 mRNA (data not shown).

Other embodiments are within the following claims. While several embodiments have been shown and described, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

1. A purified polypeptide, wherein said polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID. NO. 1, SEQ. ID. NO. 2, and SEQ. ID. NO.
 3. 2. The polypeptide of claim 1, wherein said polypeptide consists of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID. NO. 1, SEQ. ID. NO. 2, and SEQ. ID. NO.
 3. 